Pest Assassins Pest Control
and Termite Specialist
CALL 0961.019.5455
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
Subterranean termites are the greatest economic pest in the PHILIPPINES. These termites cause billions of pesos in damage each year to homes, historical structures, and commercial buildings. In addition to buildings, termites also consume valuable books, documents and photographs. Subterranean termites have existed for over 55 million years and are extremely good at what they do. A great deal of their success can be attributed to their cooperative behavior. Subterranean termites are social insects. This means that they live in family groups called colonies. Social insects are different from other insects (grasshoppers, cockroaches, or beetles) because each termite in the colony performs a specific job that benefits the colony as a whole. Most other insects work only for themselves. For example, each individual grasshopper will feed and reproduce itself independently of its siblings. In the termite colony, an entire group or caste of termites is responsible for feeding their parents and siblings, while another caste is responsible for reproduction. Because of this division of labor, the colony of individuals functions as a single animal. The following is a description of how a subterranean termite colony becomes established and how the different castes interact and communicate as the colony grows.
SPECIES OF SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES IN THE PHILIPPINES
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DRYWOOD TERMITES
Drywood termites are a group of termites that build their nests within moisture-free wood. They belong to the Kalotermitidae family spanning several genera, and are considered primitive termites. Drywood termite genera include the most distinctive and widespread; probably Cryptotermes. Drywood termites are sometimes called powderpost or furniture termites due to being found commonly infesting furniture. There is similarity between drywood and dampwood termites in that both nest inside wood. But unlike dampwood termites, which require moist wood in which to nest in, drywood termites need wood that is dry, and therefore, have adapted well to human habitation, finding an ideal habitat in the dry wooden frames, beams, and furniture in homes and buildings. Living inside wood that has no contact with water, drywood termites have this curious ability to metabolize water from the wood that they eat, absorbing and reabsorbing water from their feces, as needed. In humid conditions, drywood termites will excrete liquid feces, but in dry conditions, they reabsorb the moisture in their intestines, and excrete their feces as pellets (which are called frass). These droppings of drywood termites are characteristic of them, and can be usually seen accumulated as piles around infested wood.
DRYWOOD PELLETS
CRYPTOTERMES DUDLEYI
DRYWOOD TERMITES
DAMPWOOD TERMITES
Dampwood termites are the largest of all termite species and can range from 1/3 inch to well over 1/2 inch in length. Because of their large size and ability to damage wood more rapidly than their cousin subterranean and drywood termites, they are considered an important economic pest in areas along the Pacific Coast.
Dampwood termites live in moist wet areas such as fence posts, trees, wood siding in contact with the ground, rotten eaves, sheds and other similar areas. The moisture content in the wood has to be sufficient enough to be of interest to the dampwood termite, otherwise they cannot live. Dampwood termites are often called "rottenwood" termites because of their desire for very moist and rotted wood. .
Dampwood termites require a constant water source or close contact with water and very rarely if ever can survive even in a high humidity climate without access to water. They require high amounts of moisture, humidity and access to water. For this reason, they tend to nest in trees, damp logs and untreated posts. Dampwood termites are also known to infest live living trees. The fecal pellets produced by Dampwood termites are hexagonal in shape, which means they have six sides. When the termite first excretes a pellet, it is hard. This frass is usually a medium-light brown color. Due to the moisture in the environment, the droppings do not hold this shape. Instead, pellets clump together, resembling a gluey paste. The more humid the termites’ nest, the less distinguishable the frass will be.
TERMITE CONTROL METHODS
When it comes to termite barriers there are 2 main types of barriers that are well suited for the Philippines. These are:
> Chemical Barriers
> Termite Baiting
> Termite Reticulation
Chemical Barriers
A chemical termite barrier is a chemical barrier around the outside of your home. It not only stops termites from entering your property, its slow-acting formula allows time for one termite to spread the chemical to other termites so the entire colony is eradicated. While deadly to termites, a chemical termite barrier is completely safe for humans, pets and native animals.
Depending on the home and surrounds, chemical termite barriers can be very effective and affordable. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are considering a chemical termite barrier.
A Termite barrier is designed to prevent concealed entry by termites. There are many types of Termite Barriers on the market that are installed throughout the Philippines and surrounding regional areas. Whether it’s a new residential or commercial building or extension Termite barriers are required. Who can install a physical barrier in the Philippines? A Termite Physical barrier is installed by licensed PCO and accredited installers of a Product that is designed to prevent concealed Termite entry. Physical barriers do not stop termites for dead, they force the termites outside the building so they can be detected by the homeowner or found during routine annual inspections carried out by a licensed Termite Inspector.
Termite barriers the most popular forms of termite protection and consist of a liquid termiticide that is sprayed either underneath a slab (in the case of new home constructions), around the external perimeter in the case of an existing house or piped through a reticulated system around a home. Liquid termite barriers have varying lives of between 5 and 10 years depending on the treatment used after which time it will have to be re-applied. At Pest Assassins Pest Control we use all 3 registered termite barrier products and the choice depends on the warranty period, cost, method of operation or toxicity level. Briefly, these four products are:
Bifenthrin – our most popular treatment for termites. It’s an odourless, water based, synthetic pyrethroid modelled on Mother Nature’s very effective insecticide pyrethrum which is extracted from the pyrethrum daisy. At the recommended dosage rate Bifenthrin provides the longest protection period of any termiticide. The barrier stays exactly where you need it and will not be leached away by rainfall or watering of lawns and gardens. Unlike some products, Bifenthrin is non-systemic, which means garden plants and other vegetation will not translocate the barrier away from the treated area. Bifenthrin solves your termite problems in two ways; not only does it work quickly to kill and repel foraging termites, it also creates an invisible protective barrier that surrounds your home for 5 years and our warranty ensures this.
Fipronil – is a relatively new water based and odourless treatment that has gained popularity in recent years. It is a little unique in that it acts not so much as a barrier to repel termites, rather it encourages termites to enter a treated zone where it bonds to their cuticles. The termites will not die immediately but because of their nature, will pass this toxin onto other termites. Even if termites don’t come into contact with the treated zone, they eventually will die because of their contact with other infected termites.
Imidacloprid – like Fipronil is a non-repellant termiticide. Termites can not detect it so they will unknowingly enter a treated zone and carry the poison back to the colony all the while infecting other termites. Imidacloprid is water based, non-odorous and has low toxicity to humans and household pets.
The termite chemical must penetrate soil around your home to a depth of at least 100 mm . To achieve this, Pest Assassins termite technician will dig a small trench or rod or inject termiticide products. If the trench is not deep enough, the chemical will not give effective protection from termites that tunnel underground. We take great care to dig a trench of correct dimensions while avoiding damage to pipes and gardens around your home.
Does Pest Assassins Pest Control and Termite Specialist Have A Warranty For Returning Pests?
Access Holes:
To get the chemical to the soil under concrete slabs we drill small access holes. This is difficult, time-consuming work. Some companies save time by drilling fewer holes. Pest Assassins Termite Specialist follows Guidelines and drills access holes no more than 12 inches apart and then plug holes after treatment.
Chemical Quantity and Concentration:
Termite chemicals are expensive. And to form an effective termite barrier you have to use a lot (e.g. the average treatment uses 500-600 litres of termite chemical). One way a termite company may attempt to make more money (or offer a cheaper price) is to apply less chemical or diluted chemical. While some companies may apply only 3 litres of chemical per metre, we use the recommended 10 litres of full-strength chemical per metre (100L/m3). With Pest Assassins Termite Specialist you can be sure you're getting what you pay for - an effective termite barrier.
Type of Chemical:
Three types of chemicals are commonly used for termite barriers - Fipronil, Imidacloprid and Bifenthrin. You may know these by their brand names Domino, Novel, Premise or Biflex. These chemicals are completely safe for humans, pets and native animals but deadly to termites. Although all chemicals may be effective, some are more suitable for certain types of homes and surrounds. An application of the wrong chemical may be giving you false security and leave your home vulnerable to termite invasion. Pest Assassins Termite Specialist will conduct a thorough analysis and give you an expert recommendation on which chemical barrier will be most effective.
PRE-CONSTRUCTION SOIL POISONING
Soil poisoning is one of the very first steps in the building process.Prior to the laying of your foundations, the ground beneath your future home needs to be treated for subterranean termites. The soil poisoning process involves the drilling of holes – one meter apart – around the perimeter of the foundations. Termiticides are then pumped into the soil in order to saturate the ground.It’s crucial that this is done by a pest control company that’s licensed and registered. This will ensure that the treatment is done thoroughly, is effectively carried out and that chemicals that are non-toxic to humans and animals are used.
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WARNING!!!
Steer clear of any soil poisoning provider who offers more than a five year guarantee. Since the use of Chlordane was banned, termiticides approved by the FDA are only guaranteed for five years. Any one claiming to offer soil poisoning services that last longer than this is either using banned substances, using dangerously high levels of approved termiticides or downright lying.
TERMITE BAITING SYSTEMS
Termite Baiting Systems. A termite baiting system is a series of Ground Stations placed around the perimeter of your home. These ground stations contain a special type of timber that is particularly attractive to termites. Once termite activity is detected, a slow-acting chemical is applied to the ground station. Because termites are social creatures (they feed and groom each other) they pass the chemical along and soon the entire colony is eliminated.
Here are some things to keep in mind when considering a baiting system:
Is It Really The Best System For You: While baiting systems can be effective, they are not ideal for all situations. Some termite control companies aggressively sell baiting systems because they require constant monitoring. This usually involves a monthly fee for the life of the system. It may be good business for the termite control company, but it's not always the best for you. It can be very expensive. We will only recommend a baiting system when we genuinely believe it's the best solution for you.
Type of Bait: As silly as it sounds, some baiting systems are ineffective because of the design of the ground stations. We only use ground stations that allow us to carry out inspections without disturbing the termites. If termites are disturbed during inspection they can abandon the ground station making it difficult to carry out treatment.
Bait Positioning: Ground stations (like chemicals) are expensive. Some termite companies may try to increase their profits (or lower their prices) by installing fewer ground stations than you need. To give effective detection and treatment we follow Australian Guidelines and install ground stations every 3 metres around the perimeter of your home. When a driveway is more than 3 metres across, we drill a small access hole and install a special concrete ground station. That's one of the reasons we can guarantee to get rid of termites from your home.
Termite baiting is essentially a method of providing an IGR laden material to termites which they will eat but will not kill them instantly as we want to eliminate the colony NOT just a localised group of termites. Once the termites ingest the bait, they will return to their colony and in doing so, by their very nature through contact and transfer of other nutrients with other termites, will pass this material on to other members of a colony. The slow acting nature of the IGR means that great numbers of termites will become infected before it then starts its work of killing the host and eventually the elimination of the Queen and hence, the colony. The Queen by the way, can live up to 50 years!
Termite baiting does not involve any broadcast chemicals, doesn’t mean drilling into any floorboards, foundations or walls, and will absolutely eliminate a termite colony if the correct procedures are followed.
We use the original Xterm bait which is a highly advanced, scientifically proven, commercially tried and tested product that will eliminate the whole subterranean colony of termites in a non-invasive and environmentally responsible manner. The Xterm bait is non-poisonous to mammals so won’t harm your family or pets.
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There are 3 steps involved with termite baiting that Pest Assassins Pest Control follows:
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Inspection – careful checking of the premises to locate the point of ingress of termites. We also use Borescopes detection technology to check for other undiscovered areas of termite activity
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Placement of bait station/s – correctly locating the specially designed station/s and presenting them in a way that termites don’t feel threatened
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Monitoring – this is crucial. It involves subsequent checking and replenishment of the bait as required which would generally be on a monthly basis.
The bait Pest Assassins Pest Control uses in its bait stations is the world’s original . . . not a generic. It’s not only a concentrated form of cellulose, but it has been designed to have a very soft, palatable texture to it that is even more appealing to termites than cellulose derived from wood sources as it is mixed with water (which is the other main required nutrient of termites).
Once termites consume this bait, they leave a chemically scented trail that leads other termites to the bait station and this process continues until all members of a colony are eliminated. Make no mistake, bait stations WILL eliminate a termite colony as long as the correct procedures are followed and as a point of interest, Pest Assassins Pest Control directors have successfully managed over 10,000 of this type of termite elimination procedure.
So how long does this termite treatment take? Once we install a bait station, or stations, on a premise, we will then return, as part of our service, in 4 weeks to check activity and to renew the bait if required. Subsequently we will then return every 4 weeks to continue this operation until we are satisfied the colony is eliminated.
Subterranean termites that have infested a landed property being lured into Xterm™ AG Bait Station to feed, then travel back to their nest to share the bait with their nest mates.
Subterranean termites active in the soil around a landed property are intercepted by XtermTM IG Bait Station and feed, then travel back to their nest and share the bait with their nestmates.
0961.019.KILL(5455)
Termite Reticulation System
Termite reticulation system refills will have to be done every 3 to 8 years. And this time frame will depend on the active chemical used in the system. The environment around a house is another factor that determines the time between refills. A termite reticulation system is a series of pipes around a structure. Once the system is installed it is filled with an appropriate Termiticide. The Termiticide that can be used will depend on the type of reticulation system that is installed. As your local pest control professionals in the Philippines, we will give advice on the best termite barrier for your property. There are many different types of termite barriers that can be installed to protect a home. They all are good if installed correctly and regularly monitored. Remember there is no silver bullet where termites are concerned. All termite barriers can be breached, regardless of what your termite company tells you. The termite reticulation system has been around for many years. A reticulation system is just one of many ways to help stop termites from causing damage. They can be installed for new homes and existing homes.
Choosing the right termite barrier system for your home is important. Your termite expert should give all options available. And explained the benefits of each.
The physical structure of the hose is one that is a flexible host for medium to high pressure applications and can actually withstand pressures of up to 600psi. The hose has a specially designed chemical resistant inner core with a smooth outer cover. Fibre matting between these layers ensures a super strong, flexible hose ideal for Australian conditions and one that is in fact guaranteed for 50 years!
TermX is the brand we choose for our termite reticulation because we are 100% confident with this product both in terms of its physical longevity and its thorough dispersal of the termiticide into the soil via strategically placed holes along the pipe.
So what are the benefits of installing a termite reticulation system?
•Disperses thoroughly a long lasting termiticide such as Biflex, Termidor or Altriset
•Ideal for use with either pre or post construction homes
•The system will target termites specifically at their point of entry
•Long lasting with a 50 year warranty on the hardware and 5 -10 year warranty on the termiticide used
•Very easy to replenish
Pre-Construction – when we install a termite reticulation system in a new home construction site, we will lay the pipes across the entire area prior to the pouring of the foundation slab. Typically vulnerable points of entry in a home are plumbing areas, downpipes etc and here we take extra care and surround that area as shown below:
All hoses are then terminated at specially marked junction boxes at convenient locations for the introduction of the liquid termiticide. This is done after the concrete slab is poured and it’s important to note that the Reticulated piping is designed for residing under slab. The extremely robust design and manufacture ensures it will remain functional for many years to come.
Post-Construction – for existing homes Reticulation system provides an excellent protective system with minimal disruption to soil and negates the need to drill through feature pavers, liquid limestone etc. The Reticulation system is buried around the total perimeter of a dwelling and the unique “wrap around” nature of the piping means that vulnerable points such as downpipes can receive concentrated applications of the termiticide. Once installed, an impenetrable barrier is created for termites and future inspections and replenishment of the system is easy.
With the use of reticulation it’s worth noting that this system is ideal when you may be, for example, adding an extension to your home. It is a simple matter for our technicians to design and implement a plan that will adequately protect this new structure from termite invasion.
Note that with any termite reticulation system, it’s essential to have an annual inspection done by Pest Assassins Pest Control as this will ensure continuation of all warranties.
Re-Pumping existing reticulation systems – a popular feature of our service at Pest Assassins Pest Control is the ability to re-pump existing termite reticulation systems.